A simple but effective map, probably dating from late 1980 as the green Ferny Grove to Ipswich line is shown as being electrified from end to end. This work was completed in September of that year, so that’s the earliest the map could date to. It’s a little hard to see, but there’s a black “catenary line” running down the middle of the green route line with an occasional lightning bolt icon to denote the electrification.

The map uses an odd variety of non-standard angles to make everything fit together, but it’s still pretty coherent and a darn sight easier to read than the modern-day equivalent (though it doesn’t have to deal with busways or extend from Gympie in the north to the Gold Coast in the south). The freehand curve of the Exhibition line is a little at odds with the nice straight lines employed throughout the rest of the map, while some of the station labels get a bit close together on the blue line from Buranda to Norman Park. The labelling on the rest of the map is pretty good, however. Finally, the imprecise nature of the drawn geography has the unfortunate effect of placing the bayside suburbs to the east of the city a long way from the coast, which is a little odd but not a major problem.

The final word: Oddly constructed with a mish-mash of weird angles, but it somehow holds together pretty well. 3 stars.

Source: Dave Murchie/Pinterest